Aussie Jeff Rowley Finalist in the XXL Big Wave Awards

Australian Big Wave Surfer Jeff Rowley Finalist in the 2012 Oscars of Surfing

Big Wave Surfer and Adventure Athlete, Jeff Rowley has just been announced as one of five finalists in the 2012 Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards in the prestigious Ride of the Year category.

Jeff Rowley from Torquay, Victoria Australia caught the finalist ride on 30 January 2012 at the home of the world’s biggest waves, the infamous Peahi ‘Jaws’ in Maui, Hawaii.

Rowley caught the monster ride by paddling in at Jaws, which was until recently considered impossible to catch and ride without the use of a jet ski ‘tow-in’ and foot straps.

Ride of the Year is the most prestigious award in the Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards, which are regarded as the Oscars of surfing.

The XXL awards celebrate the greatest achievements and advancements in big wave surfing performance throughout the year.

The 2011/2012 year was a historic year for big wave surfing with surfers shattering the boundaries of what was considered possible and setting new benchmarks for performance and the future direction of big wave surfing.